MAJOR WEEDS OF Gladiolus grandiflora L. AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

Studies were conducted to identify the important weeds infesting Gladiolus grandiflora L. Family Iridaceae and to investigate the effects of various mulches (pine saw dust, pine wood chips, wheat straw, plastic mulch) and a herbicide as a check. Control (weedy check) was also included for comparison. The studies were conducted at Rawalakot valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. First of all, weed survey was conducted. While in the second experiment, weed management study was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design. Data recorded showed that a total of 15 major weed species belonging to six different families were found in association with gladiolus. The fields were observed densely populated (7/15 weeds) with monocotyledonous belonging to family Poaceae. Among various mulching treatments, plastic mulch proved to be the most effective for inhibiting weed germination (10 weeds m^-2). However, it did not improve the growth and yield of gladiolus as compared to other mulching materials. Application of pine wood chips promoted plant height of G. grandiflora to almost double (283 cm) as compared to weedy check (143 cm). Numerically, higher values of corm size (6 cm), corm weight (40 g), cormel size (2.3 cm), cormel weight (1.4 g) and cormel yield (102.3 cormels m^−2) were observed in pine wood chips. The herbicide Gezapex Combi used as a standard, injured crop by stunting and chlorosis. Based on the present findings, it is concluded that weeds are a major constraint in G. grandiflora and mulching of pine wood chips in this crop improves yield and its other economic traits.